Hope for Every Season With Danny Gokeyഉദാഹരണം

Summer

You’ve heard it said that “April showers bring May flowers.” In Leviticus 26:4, God echoes that adage with the promise, “I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field will produce their fruit.”

The rain and hard work of early spring accomplish their purpose in summer so that there is a harvest in the fall. Since the beginning of creation, God put seasonal rhythms in place so that we would have everything we needed, right when we needed it. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Summer typically means the hottest days. The sun’s rays serve to produce transformation in all that has been planted. Branches bud, leaves sprout, and then flowers fall away to make room for fruit to grow. Green shoots of grain brown and ripen in the blazing heat. Of course, that heat is not always the most comfortable, and neither is the transformational work that God does in our hearts during summer seasons - but it is worth it for the harvest He is working to bring about.

Summer also typically means the longest days, giving us the most hours to accomplish the work of harvesting. Proverbs 6:8 tells us how “They labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter,” while Proverbs 10:5 reminds us that “A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.” As “co-laborers with Christ,” we are called to diligently put in the hours and effort so that His harvest in the world - and in our hearts - is not neglected.

Because that harvest is something to celebrate! Summer requires hard work, but still brings many opportunities for vacations and adventures, explorations and celebrations. “That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:13) God wants us to not only savor His abundance, but also to bless others with it. “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

So, will we withstand the elements to do the work that God is calling us to do in the summer, so we can wisely gather and store the good things He has grown? That is what gives us the strength to endure in seasons of scarcity, what frees us to celebrate His provision during the harvest, and what enables us to help others in their times of need. We may not always understand what God is doing here on earth, but whether long or short, hot or cold, welcome or not, we know that each season is “Only For a Moment,” and that His purposes will prevail!